LMH Health Foundation Receives $5 Million Gift Commitment for LMH Health Heart Center
Lawrence residents Harry and Cindy Herington have made a $5 million gift commitment to the LMH Health Foundation. The commitment is the second largest in both the foundation’s 55-year history and the hospital’s 104-year history.
The Heringtons’ gift will support the expansion and renovation of the LMH Health Heart Center, which will include the addition of a second heart cath lab, a larger and more modernized physician clinic, and increased access to new services such as electrophysiology and vascular services.
Cindy and Harry Herington
“LMH Health is a tremendous asset to our community. Their recent expansion of oncology services within the LMH Health Cancer Center is providing necessary lifesaving treatment to our families and neighbors,” said Harry Herington. “Advancements in their cardiac services are a vital next step in their overall health care mission. Cindy and I feel fortunate that we can help support the expansion of the LMH Health Heart Center.”
Earl Reineman, major and planned gifts manager for the LMH Health Foundation, expressed his gratitude for the Heringtons’ gift to the Heart Center, a regional destination for comprehensive cardiovascular care.
“What a difference this gift will make — not just for our cardiology team and the people they care for every day, but for the health of every patient we serve,” said Reineman. “Harry and Cindy’s gift is truly one of compassion, caring and community.”
Russ Johnson, LMH Health President and CEO, said the Heringtons’ gift is an exceptional representation of all that philanthropy makes possible for our not-for-profit, community hospital.
“Unfortunately, heart disease is the leading cause of death around the world, and that’s certainly the case here in Douglas County,” said Johnson. “Harry and Cindy’s investment in the Heart Center will have an enduring impact on our mission and make a tremendous difference in the lives of our families, friends and neighbors. We are extremely grateful to the Heringtons for their support of our exceptional cardiologists and outstanding cardiac care team at the LMH Health Heart Center.”
The Heringtons’ gift will be coordinated through their charitable giving fund at the Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF). DCCF seeks to enrich the quality of life in communities throughout Douglas County by offering charitable giving options to align donors’ philanthropic and financial goals.
“Harry and Cindy make a wonderful positive impact in our community, and we are so fortunate for their leadership and generosity,” said Chip Blaser, DCCF president.
Accredited by the American College of Cardiology, the LMH Health Heart Center is home to highly-trained cardiologists providing expert care in collaboration with colleagues throughout LMH Health to deliver a multidisciplinary approach to cardiac care.
The Herington gift commitment is part of a $10 million Heart Center campaign to support the project, which supports future patient needs and facilities required to provide expanded access to exceptional cardiac care, right here in our community. The total cost of the initiative is likely to exceed $25 million.
“A new and expanded Heart Center will mean improved access to life-changing—and life-saving—care, said Dr. Christina Salazar, LMH Health cardiologist. “The gift from Harry and Cindy is transformational, and will help us turn our vision of a truly comprehensive heart center into a reality.”
Rebecca Smith, LMH Health Foundation executive director and LMH Health vice president of strategy and communications, said the entire LMH family is grateful for Harry and Cindy’s support and all it will make possible for the Heart Center and the patients it serves.
“This will be the most ambitious campaign in the Foundation’s history, and it will be possible because of the value the Heringtons and many donors like them place on access to exceptional healthcare,” said Smith. “From investing in facilities and technology typically only seen in major medical centers to ensuring those advancements are available to every single member of the communities we serve—regardless of ability to pay, their support helps ensure our community hospital continues to be among the very best in the country.”
The LMH Health Foundation, a board-governed 501(c)(3) organization, has received seven of its nine largest gifts in the past eight years. The Foundation has transferred more than $30 million in support of LMH Health priorities and programs since 2017, including a record transfer of more than $9 million in 2024. The Foundation recently completed a successful campaign for the LMH Health Cancer Center’s expansion and renovation, raising more than $7.2 million in private philanthropic support for the project. The new facility will open to patients this summer.
“The LMH Health Foundation’s purpose is to inspire community and philanthropic support for LMH Health, and the Heringtons are playing a vital role in that effort,” said Gail Vick, president of the Foundation’s board of directors. “We are incredibly grateful for the trust the Heringtons have placed in both the foundation and the hospital, and we look forward to celebrating all it makes possible.”
